FAN APPRECIATION DAY REPORT

The following summary was submitted by California Golden Bear Football News Blog Reader Justin:

The event was as well attended as the fan appreciation day last year, and this time the AD seemed better prepared, if not totally organized. The event started right on time, with separate tents being placed on the field for the various positions. The players were friendly and all attired in the uniform shirts and sweats. The longest line formed around JT, and he had to stay late to sign all of the autographs, even though they would not allow people to line up after about 11:00 a.m. His was the most popular tent.

The next most popular tent was running backs, where Messrs. Lynch and Forsett graciously signed the large posters that were distributed before the event along with the rest of their team mates. I said "thank you Mr. Heisman" to Marshawn when he signed mine and he just laughed and said "don't say stuff like that" in a good natured way. The second most popular position seemed to be wide receivers, and I told De Sean Jackson that he had made the right choice, and had the pleasure of meeting Berl Toller's younger brother and saying a few words to him. David Lonie confirmed that he would be kicking off against Sac State, but I couldn't get either Nate Longshore or Joe Ayoob to comment on who would take the first snap. Most importantly (because I'm a big fan), Donnie McClesky said that he was in great shape and ready to have the kind of year that he had when he was a sophomore. Finally, I reminded the defensive line that it was their responsibility to make sure that Leinhart doesn't get another Heisman and that he was only taking ballroom dancing. They laughed.

The AD piped in band music through loud speakers and when the cheerleaders performed some kind of dance in the middle of the field, they turned the music up loud and the mic-man tried to extort the crowd to do some "Go Bears!" and other cheers. The response was like warm. There was a long line for the garage sale, which was held in the South Tunnel, and all kinds of Cal memorabilia, football and non-football related, was offered for sale. Some game worn Nike uni's were available, too.

All in all, a good time appeared to be had by all under a warm, but not too warm, late summer sun. Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got to hang my big poster on my office wall.